Think about this……
“Barack Obama has done nothing but try to turn American against American based on income and accomplishment. He’s done nothing but sit silently by, smirking, while his defenders, allies, surrogates and staff have called Americans who disagree with him racists, homophobes, sexists, xenophobes, rednecks, idiots, Uncle Toms and anything else you can call someone when you can’t rebut what they say with facts or accomplishments”. – Derek Hunter

Sandra, Obama is the most negative, back-slicing presidential candidate ever! And he lies like a rug!!! Don't you read the newspapers????

DT - What the news tells is that Obama has many accomplishments. He has advanced women's rights in the workplace, expanded access to medical care and provided subsidies for people who can't afford it, fixed the preexisting conditions travesty [and rescissions] in health insurance. And although it was watered down from what was needed, he supported Dodd-Frank to regulate Wall Street who caused this entire economic mess. This is a very short list, and I do hope the tax cuts for rich lapse.

What papers are you reading DT?

Comparing Obama to Stalin, Lenin, MAO and Hitler?

It is insulting to the victims of socialist/marxist regimes (and whatever schemes you accuse President Obama of touting) to put yourself in their category of suffering. Don't even try to victimize yourself to what their standards of living were in those countries! Go have your pity party somewhere else! Poor you! My life under President Obama's leadership has been good. My alternative would be living in Venezuela under a true socialist dictator - Chavez and forget about not having a job - they don't have food! I am proud to be an American and I am grateful that my President is not as extreme as that loony in Venezuela - and you should too!

I don't see Lin-Dai Kendall making that correlation that Obama is Stalin, Lenin, Mao and Hitler. You put those words into his post because you have no credible response to his logic. His point is Marxism and Socialism fails where ever it is implemented and Obama thinks his brand of Marxism and Socialism will succeed this time ignoring history. Do you all know how many citizens of these countries it has hurt or worse? All of you Obama supporters don't see the hate that Obama is peddling? If you don't you are not able or willing to see what is happening right before you. He can't run on his accomplishments because it would highlight his failures.

Susan - you are correct we should not compare ourselves to Venezuela, or 1930s Germany/Russia, But we should be aware of the subtle indoctrination of our citizens into a belief that government can solve all problems if given enough power. A primes that is worthy of debate. What can not and should not be debated is that history proves that when a people give up all power to a government it is enslaved by it.

John - you make a rational point - thank you. I merely I get infuriated when people inflate our problems in the US and compare them to to much more dire situations in other countries. People in the US do not know, and have not known, the type of poverty and suffering that TRUE Socialist ideologies bring. I don't think Obama is a true socialist - a liberal; yes - a marxist; no. I don't think this (amazing) country is going up in Red socialist flames and our citizens would not allow it to do so. These remarks by overly dramatic people just serve as fuel to fire that is already started. I also must add however, that a nation ruled by greedy businesses is no less scary a thought than socialism. We must respect both "sides of the aisle" and understand that that is the true meaning of democracy.

A little perspective here: At the end of President Clinton’s term, the unemployment rate was 4.7%. But by the end of George W. Bush’s term the unemployment rate was 9.3%. In President Obama’s term the unemployment rate is decreasing and we are currently at 8.2%.

Let's get our facts straight Glakas: Bush end of term unemployment was in the 7% range.

Since 1964, there has been only one time the unemployment was higher than 9% and that was in the post Jimmy Carter era. Confidence in the country was as it is now--very low. Don't tell me W had an unemployment rate of 9%. http://www.tradingeconomics.com/united-states/unemployment-rate

What the hell are you ranting about. Your post shows your ignorance. Your extremely uneducated on the facts.
1. Do you know what caused the economic crisis in the Euro Zone?
2. Intense negative Campaigns against Romney? Gee, so In other words Romney did not outsource Jobs overseas…
3. What do you mean by the Fabricated man? What the hell are you talking about.
4. What do you mean by “stop in this race for self-annihilation”

Marta says: "No one is better off today than four years ago, we are far off worse!"

Speak for yourself, Marta. I'm better off than I was four years ago, and I'm sure many others are as well. Four years ago we were looking at a economic bottomless pit. Everyone seems to forget how really scary the end of 2008 was and the dire predictions that never actually turned true. My salary took a hit in 2009 but is now higher than it was in 2008 and I have more job security.

Barbara - the unemployment rate at the end of Bush term was 7.8 and the House and the Senate were controlled by Democrats. The Democrats in the House and Senate had the majority vote but still could not get a balanced budget passed. When you are giving out numbers about the end of Bush presidency please keep the facts in mind.

You appear to be someone who is on the verge of an emotional breakdown. The CAPS LOCKs, "unnecessary quotes", excessive exclamations! and bizarre strings of random, disconnected thoughts are all symptoms of a serious condition that should not be left untreated. For the sake of yourself, your family and the Romney campaign -- please get the help you so desperately need.

Being president is about much more than business and free markets. What, exactly, will Romney do?

You appear to know very little about the history of the 'middle' class. The idea dates back to the late middle ages and the actual term first appeared in 1745 in mercantilist and capitalist tracts, NOt socialist-marxist ones as you so ignorantly claim.

@Mike - I have a case? I'm confused, help me out - what case would that be?

You're not going to get much support for that argument since over 60% of the families in Ffx Co are bringing in less than $150k and 40% bring in less than $100k*.

For anyone who feels they can't make it here on between $250-$1000k: I recommend that you analyze the spending side of the equation. Maybe you should think hard about the brand of cars you drive, the size and zip code of your house, the destinations of your vacations and the pile of meaningless consumer goods that define your existence.

I make a good bit over the ave. family income in Fairfax, but well under $250k and even with three kids (two in college) I can say I have nothing to whine about. On the contrary - I feel fortunate. And my tax rates are the lowest they've ever been (like everyone else here).

* http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/demogrph/gendemo.htm#inc

Since you consider anything less than $250k to be "squat," can I assume you will be backing massive pay increases for all the FCPS employees who make about 1/5 of that amount (or even less)?
Thanks for publicly admitting that Fairfax pays its employees less than the local cost of living...

Actually Michael, I don't know how much county employees make. You would think they get paid a lot with the amount of real estate taxes that we pay for those FCPS employees and services. Those real estate taxes are getting repressive. Taxes are going up higher than my salary. I am not a Federal employee and rich like one. Maybe we should seek to reduce the size and burden of the Fairfax County Govt on the tax payer first before before showing pity for the county employee. If what you say is true it sounds like county employees should find jobs that pay more for their own benefit. Wait how are the benefits packages for the county employees?

TB - the salaries of all fairfax county employees has been published in the Examiner more than once. You can look it up yourself. Also - FCPS and fairfax county are two completely seperate systems. The FCPS is driven by teachers and other unions, whereas most other county employees are non-union. Therefore, there is a signifigant pay and benifit disparity. FCPS makes up 52% of the county budget, with almost 80% of that going to salaries. They most definately DO NOT make up 50% of the county employees.

Also the only agency not to take a cut in the past 5 years is the schools. In fact, did they just not take a cut, but their budget was raised on an average of 5% every year, while other agencies took 30% cuts. This included raises for teachers, when no other county employee recieved a raise. And let's not forget the BILLION DOLLARS in bonds they plan on spending in the next 5 years to pretty up the schools. If you want someone to blame for your property tax, blame the schools.

Jim H.: Actually proposal put forth right now would be to extend the temporary tax cuts for incomes less than $250k. The tax cuts would end for incomes over $250k. As an example, if you make $500k, then you would not be taxes at the 90's rate OVER $250k, or only 1/2 your income.

I looked up on the county board, and apparently, the average HH income in our county is $160k.

Agree that our cost of living in this area is ridiculous. I've lived in Boston, NY, Princeton, and Philly. Except for Philly, all have had a ridiculous cost of living. But I've really enjoyed living in these areas and that is the price I pay. Have lived in rural and ex-urban areas and really didn't like the area 'cultures' (wish I could find a better word). Kansas is lovely, but I would not want to live there. So it is what it is.

I have spoken to small business people who have said they just aren't hiring because of the uncertainty in the markets and cost of Obamacare.

gm, that's baloney. What huge Obamacare costs are small businesses being hit with now that are preventing them from hiring if they need help? I suspect that if you dig deeper into the reasons that those companies aren't hiring, there are more fundamental problems at work. A good business model can overcome the health care costs incumbent upon small businesses, especially now when Obamacare hasn't even been implemented yet.

It was a campaign stop, not a fundraiser.

Interesting - Just four years ago the Fairfax School System would not let a McCain/Palin campaign stop take place in one of their schools.

@Mr. Campenni -
Actually not interesting and just routine application of the rules. The McCain stop would have occurred during school hours. The Obama stop happened outside of school hours. No conspiracy.

This stuff is too easy to google:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/09/08/AR2008090803163.html

Mike--fundraisers with American citizens who live overseas. Just because you work outside of America doesn't mean you should be disenfranchised.

Mary:
Only one photo in this gallery was taken by a Patch reporter. All others in this article are uploaded by readers. We welcome you and anyone else to upload photos related to the event by clicking the "upload photos and videos" button. You can see more photos from our staff here: http://patch.com/A-wcK6

Anyone can post pictures. In this case, it looks like a troubled, obsessive person posting as @Lin-Dai Kendall has spent an inordinate amount of time filling the site with pictures of the anti-Obama trollfest. She's attempting to slant the story to obscure the fact that there were 2100 Obama supporters and 100 Anti-Obama protesters. There's tons of pictures and videos out there so you can judge for yourself - just google Obama and Centreville.

About Ms Kendall: she ran for Ffx school board as a Tea Party candidate, proposing that our kids be taught American exceptionalism, intelligent design, creationism, etc.

I was there. The Romney "supporters" were NOT local Virginians. They were bussed in on a Romney campaign bus. Typical.

I'm pretty sure that Patch is owned by Huffington Post---pretty far from a Republican owned venture!

@mike - I'm confused again. Did I say there was anything wrong with teaching American Exceptionalism? Hell if you didn't, you'd have to rewrite history books to eliminate a whole bunch of really exceptional wars.
Salute: http://youtu.be/sWS-FoXbjVI

Carol, you poor soul with Democrat talking points of science fiction. Obama has had over three and a half years to fix it and hasn't shown anything but confusion? Obamacare was sold with lies to the American public and was reported to cost $900 billion when it was passed and now it is up to $2.6 trillion. I can't even tell if he wants to reduce the umemployment rate if he gave $2 billion to a Brazilian oil company and inviting "them" and not "our" domestic oil companies to drill in the Gulf. Don't worry Romney will turn it around just by removing a bunch of executive orders and agency policies that Obama has stifled the country with.

Sorry TB - check the facts about the Ex-Im Bank loan to Petrebras. The only factual part of your claim is the dollar amount and "Brazillian oil company"; the rest is fiction.

Restony,
I am happy to help you out with getting better information about this subject.

Who's side is President Obama on?

Petrobras told it can use deep-water vessel in Gulf

BRETT CLANTON, HOUSTON CHRONICLE
Published 05:30 a.m., Friday, March 18, 2011

Petrobras has received final approval to operate the Gulf of Mexico's first floating production, storage and offloading vessel, clearing the way for the Brazilian oil giant to start pumping oil from two deep-water fields, federal regulators said Thursday.
The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement took the "final regulatory step" in green-lighting the project, with the approval of a production safety system permit and a supplemental deep-water operating plan, the bureau said in a statement.
The floating production, storage and offloading vessel, or FPSO, has a daily production capacity of 80,000 barrels of oil and 16 million cubic feet of natural gas. The ocean energy bureau said with the latest approvals, production at the Cascade and Chinook deep-water fields is expected to begin soon.
The fields are in more than 8,000 feet of water about 165 miles off Louisiana, in an area called Walker Ridge.

TB - Interesting article, but unfortunately it does nothing to support your contentions.

- President Obama didn't "give" Petrobras anything. The Export-Import Bank, which I believe receives no Congressional funding (i.e no taxpayer funds), made a loan, according to its charter, which is, in part, to provide loans to foreign companies **so that they can purchase US-made products.**

- At the time the loan was announced, two months after the inauguration, the Ex-Im Bank was still populated with Bush-era staff, and my guess (given how long it usually takes for government wheels to turn) is that the loan process itself was almost certainly started during the Bush administration. The Obama appointee for Chairman and President of Ex-Im was not confirmed until May, after the loan was announced.

- There was no "inviting" of a foreign company to the exclusion of "our" firms. Petrobras has been operating in the Gulf for years (incidentally, paying "us" for their oil field leases, buying products from US suppliers, hiring US workers, and paying US taxes). They were delayed, just like all other oil companies, by the drilling moratorium after the BP spill, and met the new, heightened safety requirements when the moratorium was lifted. Turns out the Brazilians have more experience than US firms do in this particular type of drilling.

TB if you actually have any other information, I'm curious to take a look.

dem operative

Give me liberty or give me death.... Hold your breath...lololol Americans will get rid of him in NOV! Please come help with the move??

I was there. my neighbors and friends were lining the road. What you just stated is not true

Ur so full of it.....lolol I've lived here all my life...how long have you been here?

With all due respect, Ms. Murari, are you really saying that because people arrived on a bus, be it campaign or otherwise, that they were NOT LOCAL Virginians? There aren't any Romney campaign offices in Virginia? Please do America a favor and get at least somewhat better informed before you vote. Thank you.

Radhika - you forgot. That is what Democrats pay their union buddies to do.

Janaye - I am not following what you are saying. I know a bunch of people who waited in line in Fairfax on Thursday to claim tickets for Saturday. They were happy and excited to attend the event. Most of all, they are not paid staff or family members. While you may not support Obama, why is it unfathomable that many people do? Also, please try and make your point without calling people idiots. Thanks.

It's unfathomable that people support him because of the condition of the economy, the sustained high unemployment, his unsavory associates, his disdain for business, and the constitution (bypassing with executive orders), the unprecedented hate and division in the country.....In my 60+ years I have never experienced this kind of uncertainty about my country. I always have felt confidence in its future. Does anything of what I've said mean anything to you?

to Marta....re: numbers ....I think it is possible that they were had 750 tickets to give away AFTER they had already designated a whole bunch of other tickets for party activists, workers, etc. Just guessing.

What are you trying to say. I am vexed at your post.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LPSDnGMzIdo&feature=related
"Bush admin raised red flags in 2001..."

2004 Fannie/Freddie hearings - who wanted more regulation and who didn't...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ebWJ892h5dA&feature=related

Huh? There is nothing in the Affordable Health Care Act that eliminates private health insurance. The only people the Act imposes a "tax" on are on the 1 percent of the freeloaders who expect to public to continue to foot the bill for their free health care. Even Republicans should be able to support this. Snap, they did support it before President Obama stole the idea from Romney.

Hint: How to spot a TeaBagger. They love to spread F.U.D.

You and your doctor already don't make those decisions - insurance companies do, based on what's best for their shareholders.
Also, the claim that you will be prohibited from keeping your current insurance is a base lie.

problem is: you may have health insurance--but will you have health care? They are not the same thing.

Once again what are you ranting about.

Why are dems more worried what Romney does with his money, than what Obama is doing with ours (taxpayers) ?

The offshore accounts are a way to avoid paying taxes. That activity helps him pay a lower tax rate the most people.

Rick - Dems are worried because if Romney was paying his "full" share and not hiding that money in foreign bank accounts then our collective taxes would not be so high (because we would not have to cover "his share" to properly fund our social services). In doing so Romney is only putting money in his own pocket and taking money out of American's pockets.

So what will Romney do, specifically, to improve things for us? Do tell me.

"You are knowingly and unfortunately unknowingly a communist." Well? Which one is it?

The great thing about the teabaggers (wrapped in a flag, carrying a cross, and calling themselves patriots) is that when a sane person in the middle, a true swing voter, reads their nonsense, they think, "Do I really want to vote for the same side as these people?"

Carol - I copied this right of Romney's website for you on how he will tackle our debt and get us in better financial standing.......
Repeal Obamacare, which would save $95 billion in 2016.
Eliminate subsidies for the unprofitable Amtrak, saving $1.6 billion a year.
Enact deep reductions in the subsidies for the National Endowment for the Arts, the National Endowment for the Humanities, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and the Legal Services Corporation.
Eliminate Title X family planning programs benefitting abortion groups like Planned Parenthood.
Reduce the federal workforce through attrition and align compensation with the private sector, saving over $40 billion by 2016.
Repeal the Davis-Bacon Act, a union giveaway that artificially raises costs for government projects, and save taxpayers more than $10 billion a year in the process.
Attack rampant fraud in government programs by enacting far stiffer penalties for those who steal from taxpayers. Cutting improper payments in half could save more than $60 billion a year.
Consolidate, eliminate and streamline federal departments, agencies and offices following a stem-to-stern review. End foreign aid to countries that oppose America’s interests.

CD - What are the consequences to all of these actions Romney plans to take?
-Repeal Obamacare - what is he going to put in place of that?
-Eliminate subsidies for the unprofitable Amtrak - so Amtrak loses funding causing them to lay off workers - higher unemployment and dangerous tracks for commuters. What would he do to fix it - not just tear it down?
-Enact deep reductions in the subsidies for the NEA, NEH, CPB and the LSC - What would this accomplish? What would this take away?
-Eliminate Title X family planning programs benefitting abortion groups like Planned Parenthood. - higher teenage pregnancy rates because high school students can't afford birth control - and don't give me a line about abstinence - not everyone is religious - and religious freedom is why the US was founded. So don't push your religious beliefs on me thank you.
-Reduce the federal workforce through attrition and align compensation with the private sector, saving over $40 billion by 2016. - ok more unemployment without the explanation as to how this would make things better....
-Repeal the Davis-Bacon Act - more layoffs.
-Attack rampant fraud in government programs by enacting far stiffer penalties for those who steal from taxpayers. - ok this actually makes sense.
-Consolidate/eliminate federal departments, agencies and offices - more layoffs....
-End foreign aid to countries that oppose America’s interests.- make them hate us more-great!

So what will Romney do that makes you want to vote for him?

Romney should make a deal. Obama produces a real birth certificate, social security card, school records, any records? then Romney shows tax forms. Fair enough?

Tonto: Done! Or does the "real birth certificate" produced last time this idiotic subject came up not count? The hospital authenticated it, the State of Hawaii authenticated it, but I guess that is not good enough for some people. Romney, you're up.

sorry Kim - http://obamaballotchallenge.com/more-news-on-3-31-12-arpaio-investigation-press-conference-on-obama-ineligibility
http://visiontoamerica.com/9248/barack-obamas-lawyer-admits-birth-certificate-is-forged/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9hPR5jnjtLo&feature=fvwrel

Thank you, Tonto, for informative links to such impartial news outlets as TeaPartyTribune, com. And "Obama's own attorney", quoted in your citation, graduated from law school exactly one year ago (I checked). Even I can afford a more experienced attorney. I doubt that she speaks for the president. Not very credible. Come on - accept the fact that Obama was born in the U.S. Even Donald Trump has given up that nonsense.

So, according to Kim, we don't need to see Romneys tax returns, we just need a letter of authenication from the IRS saying, "it's all good"?

By the way, Kim, since you don't think much of Tonto's links to TeaParty Tribune or whatever, perhaps you'll be more comfortable with CBS' coverage of the Arpaio BC thing...I'm not "opining" either way, just wanted Kim to know there were actually mainstream outlets watching this as well...
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-57388911-503544/sheriff-joe-arpaio-suggests-obamas-birth-certificate-is-a-forgery/ing..

Vasquez - From my perspective, the CBS article is more about Arpaio's record for engaging in "a pattern or practice of misconduct that violates the Constitution and federal law,"

Like KIm, Apaio is a KOOK who believes that Obama's parents posted the birth notice of Barak in the local newspaper as part of a long range plan that he would one day become POTUS.

Vasquez2, thanks for the link. Interesting reading. While I hold a very low opinion of "Sheriff Joe" (and perhaps he should spend a bit more time on his own defense, as he is under investigation for mistreatment of inmates, ignoring Constitutional rights, corruption - he may end up on his own "mug shot of the week" one day!) and question the qualifications of his "Cold Case Posse", I think you and I agree that people generally believe that which they wish to be true. No argument or evidence will change that.

It is not a game. People are passionate because of what's at stake. Do you really believe lying about and distorting Romney's record and finances is a winning strategy? I see it as a sign of desperation. The Obama lie machine won't hold up long. Then what, more lies? Even the most naive will tune it out. Bottom line is this nonsense about tax returns is a fishing expedition to sustain the lie machine. This nonsense about Bain is a temporary distraction.... Bain is a private company that did nothing illegal or unethical. Private companies outsource, insource, cut jobs, add jobs all the time...so what? At least Romney comes to the office with the experience, perspective and understanding of a businessman facing these options. More than can be said for Obama who chief talent seems to campaigning. Do you really believe those expressing anti Obama viewpoints here are all Tea Party members or believe the birth certificate issue is important? I am an independent voter who had some hope for Obama but have been extremely disappointed in his failure to lead and his left wing agenda. His lie-based campaign expose a seedy, dishonesty i find as troubling as as his ineffective leadership. people will see through the Obama campaign charade and this so-called "major league team" is going down,.

Honesty and integrity are important. I guess I still don't understand how O could accept a gift of close to a million dollars from Rezko in order to purchase his Hyde Park house. I don't have friends that would give me that kind of gift. (yes-I know Rezko didn't give him a million dollars, but he did "purchase" the lot next door to Obama in order to allow Obama's purchase to go through. He also sold a small portion of that lot to the O's for a minimal amount of money--rendering the vacant lot useless for building.

Also, I am far more concerened about my money spent by Obama on Solyndra ($500M) and many other green energy companies that have gone bust. Many of these companies (Solyndra being the most egregious) were headed by Obama's donors.

Am I thrilled with Romney-no-but his actions are small potatoes compared to some of Obama's ventures.

Funny how we all feel the same way.
-If we don't agree with Pres. Obama's policies, we're called racists, homophobes, out-of-touch, etc. There is a rationale based on economics that explains why Obama's policies and those that support them are categorized as socialists. The most basic axiom is that they’re based on taking from one group via the taxation system to give to another. That in itself is based on the Marxist principle "to each according to their need, from each according to their ability". That kind of system is inherently unfair because it sucks all it can out of the productive sector to feed the non-productive one, until you reach rock bottom and run out of other people's money.
-You cannot expect bi-partisanship when one group is trying to pull us into the abyss. I am disappointed at the republicans too but they are standing between us and bankruptcy as a nation. Read the WSJ, the IBD, Forbes, they all paint a REAL picture of our economy, not the rosy scenario Mr. Obama is painting.....(with other people's money, with loaned money, with printed money....)
-Working with each other will begin when we the people of America vote for people of virtue not those who give us freebies on the backs of other taxpayers.

Sorry Lin-Dai, but I don't agree with you that this is socialism. I see this as taxation on a sliding scale - people paying proportionally. I don't see any attempt to redistribute wealth, as you seem to be taking it. Not every person will benefit from everyone program. Some of our tax dollars are going to support legislation that helps businesses and business owners, and since I don't own a business my money is being taken from me to support something that doesn't benefit me. So by your definition, does that make people supporting programs that don't benefit me socialists? The thing is, our taxes are used to support many different programs, some that I will benefit from, some that I won't. As for name calling, on this blog I see much more nastiness being posted by GOP supporters than by anyone else. Most of the people responding to your rants seem to be pretty civil.

I agree with your call for more civil discussion. I read these posts and concluded the Obama supporters were the worst offenders...different perspective I guess.
As to your comments on taxation, socialism, etc. I also have a different view. With about 50% of citizens paying zero income tax and something like 40% of American's receiving some federal support payment, I conclude the argument for who pays their "fair" share is ludicrous. How is this not redistribution of wealth? Fairness aside, the more important point is that this structure is worsening the economy. The unprecedented levels of debt take resources away from the private economy to grow and create more jobs, income etc. for all Americans whether they own a business or work for one.

Holy Cow! A voice of reason! They do exist! What next? Nessie in Lake Anne?

Sorry pete, nice try. What you forget to mention is that your 50% who pay no taxes aren't freeloaders. They're poor. Making a dollar or two within minimum wage. And in fact, remembering when I was one of those people, I did pay taxes. I just got most of it back. And I don't even know where you get the 40%, unless you incude every form of payment from the government "welfare", including social security. Way to cherry pick the "facts".

Raving rant without substance.

The people instigating "class warfare" are the Republicans - and there isn't a class war going on, it's just another sales pitch they're using to try and trick gullibles (such as you) into believing they actually represent the American people. The Republican's don't represent the American people, they only represent their special interests: Oil and Coal, health care insurance companies that want to go back to the days where they take your money until you get sick then cancel the policy pocketing the money, the banking industry that would just LOVE to play craps with everyone else's 401K accounts, and a handful of nut jobs like the Koch Brothers (did you know that Dwight D. Eisenhower was a COMMUNIST AGENT!?!?! According to Koch family doctrine he was!)

The Republicans have to sell their agenda, on behalf of their special interests, to the American people. How? By disguising it. Conspiracy theories (Obama is a socialist/communist/Kenyan/muslim not born in the US), generating nonsense about class warfare, and increasing taxes on the lower 99% to reduce taxes on the 0.001% upper tier billionaires under the guise that they're the "job creators" (TAXES WERE CUT UNDER BUSH....WHERE ARE THE JOBS!!) . It's government by the special interests and for the special interests - ONLY! The rest of America is insignificant.

Joe, I've deleted your comment directed toward Lin-Dai Kendall. Please do not engage in personal attacks.

The real class warfare has been waged over the last thirty years or so, and the result has been that the concentration of income and wealth in the US now resembles that of a developing country, which in turn is now being seen by economists (as opposed to pundits and industry lobbyists) as a major factor in the sluggish recovery.

Some of it (that growing imbalance) is market forces, like the increasing internationalization of commerce; some of it is demographics, with the baby boomers reaching their peak earning years. But a significant factor has been the tax code (the mechanism for the dreaded "redistribution of wealth"!), which, at the top end, the part that affects the top (say 1%) of the income spectrum, has the lowest effective rate (not the top marginal rate, not the estimates calculated without including the tax-reduction strategies that the very wealthy use to legally reduce their tax liabilities, not the share of taxes paid by various groups, which is better delegitimized in a separate post, and not the estimates that don't include capital gains as income.) since WWII.

So the class warfare that today's conservatives are referring to - returning effective tax rates for the top 1% back to where they were under Clinton, GHW Bush, and yes Ronald Reagan - can't be taken too seriously if viewed from the longer term perspective.

I am applauding.

"Depressed, fat, unhealthy looking",....this is how you characterize people with whom you disagree?? I sure hope you're not a teacher promoting that kind of bully-logic in our hallowed classrooms. Really Skippy...after reading your comments, the most (age) appropriate response to your special brand of logic would be something along the lines of "I know you are but what am I"?? I'm a Libertarian...and I was there too...can you pick me out of the crowd of all the depressed, fat, unhealthy Republicans? " More importantly, does Michael Moore know he fits Skip Endales Republican profile? Can't have anymore pie because Uncle Sam refuses to pay for the pills"?? Whats that all about? How is US paying for our pills?? Or are you referring to the Medicare patients who are going to see their funds whacked $500+ billion? Or are you talking about the Medicaid patients, too poor to afford insurance...Who are you talking about Skipster? I'm "scared" of Obamacare because when I look at my father's EOB (Explanation of Benefits) from his ins. provider and I see a procedure charge of $1050.00 and an "approved amount" (the amount Medicare will pay) being $115.00, I have to wonder how much more can be cut before his Dr. drops Medicare patients as my Dr. plans to do IF he stays in practice.

Sounds like you have a problem with outsourcing. It is a long standing, legal business practice that businesses headed by democratic and republican CEO's have engaged in. Does it sometimes cause jobs to be transferred overseas? Sure, but there is lots of domestic outsourcing too. Does it lower costs for business and consumers? certainly, or it wouldn't persist. Does it help a business earnings that can be returned to investors (your 401k or pension fund) or reinvested to create more jobs? sure does.
Why don't you name the Democratic CEO's that run companies that outsource too?
Guess it doesn't fit your agenda.
As to Romney's tax returns, what's the big deal? He shared his two most recent tax returns during the republican primary. he isn't legally required to share them. The IRS, who is the peoples representative in reviewing tax returns evidently has found no issues with them. Are you making up another issue because you have nothing more meaningful to bring up? like the debt, unemployment, foreign policy, etc.
Ranting about nothing is an indicator of ignorance.

@Pete As I would not be a slave, so I would not be a master. This expresses my idea of democracy. Whatever differs from this, to the extent of the difference, is no democracy. Outsourcing is slavery.

Is that your logic for Barry's college records as well?

Vasquez - do you choose to ignore that tax records are normally disclosed to the public by those running for president? Has anyone, ever, in the past disclosed their college records?

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0612/77390.html

There has been a lot of bipartisan work done, especially in the state legislatures but the mainstream media won't report on it Carol, it doesn't support the anti-republican argument.
Where are the jobs?? They're coming... gonna be a whole bunch open up here soon with the IRS...to the tune of around 14-16,000...and now that the govt will be "overseeing" 94% of the credit reporting agencies including the big 3, there will probably be a healthy number of jobs there too...exciting, isnt it!!

BurkePatriot, you still haven't told me what Romney will do. If he loves America so much, how come neither he nor any of his 5 sons served in the military or National Guard? What will he do about healthcare if he repeals the Affordable Care Act? What is his foreign policy, besides going to war with Iran? If he's so inclusive, why is he supporting actions and policies that hurt women and gays and other minorities? As I recall, Obama said he would do his best to fix the economy but he certainly hasn't had any help from the Republicans. Speaking of which: what is so patriotic about voter suppression laws? Or do you really believe the rhetoric that voter fraud is so widespread when there is no evidence to support that claim?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OQUyS9H6ioI&feature=relmfu
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9hPR5jnjtLo&feature=fvwrel

Dear Burke -- I believe the word you are looking for is spelled "rhetoric". In addition, the spelling for the possessive of they is spelled "their".

Re that quote: context matters. I just watched the whole video and I agree with him on this point. Many people give themselves way too much credit. Most people's success, or the extent of their success, is largely dependent on a lot of things other than how hard they worked, or how good of a person they are. It's the classic Hierarchy of Needs - you've got to have adequate food, clothing, shelter, safety, and health before going off to do greater things. I'm where I am because a lot of external factors* combined with my personal factors. I would be conceited if I took full credit for where I am.

* I was born white in the USA in the post-WWII boom era, had great supportive parents who didn't divorce, have never had really serious or at least longterm health issues, grew up in a relatively safe middle class neighborhood, was never hungry, went to Fairfax Co schools and a VA university (paid by my generous parents). And launching from that privileged position, I've done pretty well for myself and my family. Did I do it on my own? Certainly not.

If anyone wants context to make up their own mind, here it is:
http://freebeacon.com/obama-if-you-have-a-business-you-didnt-build-that/

Extending this to my business: for 24 years, we've been proudly providing products that ensure that US military personnel have maximum safety and lethality when they deploy on mission. But we would have failed within a month of startup if we didn't have a secure, safe environment, highly skilled / educated workforce, fast / reliable communications infrastructure, a great transportation infrastructure and so on... gotta go, lunch is over, now back to kicking ass in the small business world.

hahah...mostly Republican talking heads? Do liberals have some kind of allergy to truth? When was the last time you heard Sean Hannity or Bill O'Reilly calling Hillary Clinton a C*** like Bill Maher did Sarah Palin? Ever heard Mike Huckabee call Rachel Maddow a "talk Sl*t like Ed Schulz called Laura Ingraham? Did he have his band, The Little Rockers play Lyin A## B^^^^^ when Santita Jackson walked out on stage like they did when Michelle Bachman was on the Fallon show?? (Santita Jackson?? Another right wing talker...oh wait...she's Jesse Jackson's daughter... on Fox??) My point is...NO ONE holds the golden toilet seat award for media potty-mouth like the liberal media. You don't even have an argument for this one. You should change your name to "Staples" cause...THAT WAS EASY!!! hahahaha

Vasquez - are you aware that Maher provides his commentary through a channel that a consumer must pay extra to receive and listen to? It is not exactly a public forum. And do you think it is OK to say that Ed Shultz called Laura Inghram a slut, when in fact he called her a "talk show slut" .

Vasquez, your comments here are not libertarian related, but spinned to the far right.

Hi Vasquez,
A reminder that our terms of use prohibit both profanity and masked profanity. http://centreville.patch.com/terms I'm letting it slide this time because you were citing specific examples to prove your point, but please find a way to write around it in the future. We try to keep Patch sites as family-friendly as possible.
Thanks,
Mary

Burke, I don't think Obama is failing. That's the fundamental difference. I don't think he's failed or lied and I think he's kept as many of his promises as he could given the dire straits we were in and the total lack of cooperation from the Republicans who would let this country go down the tubes in order to defeat the President. He saved General Motors, he kept us from going into deep depression, he killed Osama Bin Laden, he signed the act for equal pay for women, he passed a healthcare act that will help millions of Americans. How has Romney been so successful? He's made a lot of money - is that your standard for success? I don't trust him. He changes his positions as often as he changes his socks. His plans are vague. He'll get rid of Obamacare and do....what? He's not a man of the people. And please, don't anyone give me the stuff about taking from the rich or redistributing wealth and how that's communism/socialism. To help those less fortunate that we are is an American, and a Christian, value, or so I've heard. Romney will support the rich and we will have a country of the very very rich and the very poor and the very very poor. If you are in the middle class (sorry to those of you who don't like that term) you will be voting against your own economic self interest. Burke, supporting Romney just because he isn't Obama isn't a good enough reason.

The numbers really jumped in early 2009.
http://www.bls.gov/schedule/archives/empsit_nr.htm

I'm done with this. I don't argue with right-wing rantings. The lie is that these are Obama's lies and they aren't. True some of them didn't come about (i.e. Guantanamo), but for the most part they aren't lies. And still no positive reason to vote for Romney. Have a nice day.

Burke, pls provide context for each of these. Assignment due tommorrow, thank you.

BurkePatriot:
Say, friend - I've got some land in Florida, it's great, it's water front property. I'd like to sell it because I need the money desperately to tend for my sickly mother. I bought this land 10 years ago for $10,000,000.00, but because you seem like a right thinking American, I'll let you have it for just $500,000.00 - 1/20th what I paid for it. If you don't have the money now, I can take the title to your property. You'll be able to turn that property right around and sell it for massive profits. You'll be rich. Just trust me. Don't question anything I say, just trust me. I wouldn't lie or make things up to trick you. I'm an honest, honest person.

Kinda like our Jobs Czar, Jeffrey Immelt? Oh, of course, THAT's different.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3DlTgrMCxPg

Mr Patriot: As I said I'm done arguing with you but I must say that in the above post you are making judgments about people whom you do not know. Americans are free to disagree with each other; we don't all have to believe the same things that you do, thank God. People who disagree with you are being very American - it's one of our freedoms. People who can't disagree without resorting to name calling have very little to say.

Really? You think the constitution was written just short of anarchy? So it does not describe an ordered country with a central government? And everybody has to pass a purity test. To be administered by who? You? And what exactly happens to the people who don't pass your test? Camps? Forced deportation? To where if they were born here? Or probably what you would like - firing squads?

So the answer to your preceived communism is fascism. Hmm, this sounds familiar......

"change is what you need" - thanks for the inspiration Burke. I just sent Obama a $100 for a job well done.

FauxPatriot,
Your compulsive obsession with President Obama and Karl Marx is disturbing. I have forwarded your rants to the Department of Homeland Security so they can determine if you should be placed on the no fly list.

Burke Patriot -
Thanks for inspiring me to donate to the Obama campaign.
As I've quoted before:
"When Fascism comes to America, it will be wrapped in the flag, carrying a cross." Sinclair Lewis 1935

Much agreed Sandra. The extremist rants hurt their own cause.